Article delivery machine



April 15, 1941. B. w. FRY 2,238,725

ARTICLE DELIVERY MACHINE Filed Aug. 17, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April- 15, 1941. B, w, FRY

ARTICLE DELIVERY MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 17, 1939 Patented Apr. 15, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTICLE DELIVERY MACHINE Benjamin W. Fry, University `Cimino. Application August 17, 1939, serial No. 290,587

` (ci. 31a-6s) 13 Claims. This invention relates to article delivery machines, and with regard to certain more specific stack; vthe provision of a machine of the class described which is adapted for use, for example, in a cigarette vending machine, to deliver the bottom package of a stack of cigarette packages irom` a position near the floor to normal hand level, or a like relatively higher level; the pro- 4vision of a machine of the class described which performs the'desired delivery action quickly and positively, but without injuring the article being delivered; and the ,provision` of a machine of the class described which is relatively simple and economical in construction, and simple andreliable in operation. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprisesthe elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will beexemplifled in the structures hereinafter f ldescribed, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

, Inl the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the, invention, 4 Aliig.'r 1 is a. vertical cross section of an article delivery` machine embodying the present invention, taken substantially along line l-l of Fig. 2;"and f Figures 2, 3,.and 4 are cross sections taken substantially along lines 2--2,` 3-`3,a-nd `L -4, respectively, of Fig. 1. A Similar reference characters indicate` `corresponding parts. throughout the several views of the'drawings. ,4 Y In most cigarette vendingmachines,`the store of packages of cigarettes to be vended is maintained in avertical stack, and the delivery of the vended package is made fromr off the bottom of the stack.. This system offers numerous advantages, as gravity-may be relied upon. toforce additional packages into position to be delivered from .thebottom of the stack. l y @Howeveigg lfor the sake ofconvenience, it is,

'herein concerned deliver its arti-cle, such as the package of cigarettes, at a level at which the purchaser can readily pick up the delivered package. Ordinarily, this means that the package should be delivered at a point not less than the order of two and a half feet above floor level. With most vending machines heretofore made, it has been customary to elevate the entirestack or supply of articles above this desired minimum level, so that the delivered package may be dropped, or at least maintained level, from thebottom of the stack to the point of delivery. Consequently there has vbeen present in the prior vending machines of this type a waste space of two and one-half feet or more, extending from the bottom of the storage stack ofl articles to the floor level. It is one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide article delivery means which permits the extension of the stack Vof articles to be delivered clear down to approximately the floor level, and which takes the articles to be delivered off the :bottom of said stack, but which still delivers the article at about hand level or the like.

With the present invention, for example, cigarette and like vending `machines can, for the iirst time, be built in console, rather than cabinet models.

' Referring now more particularly to the drawings, `there is illustrated an article storageand delivery unit which may readily be embodied in dispensing or vending machines of the class heretherefore, the illustration and description of the present invention iscOnned to a single unit' 'embodying it. i

Thezunit referred to is housed in a sheet metal box I, for example, which may `desirably comprise a iront wall 3, a back wall 5, side Walls'l, andatop 9. The `box 'l may be of any desired height. 'I'he top `5l is desirably removable for loading purposes.

z Mounted on the inside surfaces of sidev walls 1 are pairs of oppositely facing, parallel angle bars Il, which serve -as means for establishing and holding a stackiof articles I3 to be delivered. The barsl l extend nearly to the top 9 of the box l, upwardly,.and` downwardly/tov a point about six or seven inches, for example, from the bottom necessairy that' a `*vendi-ng, 'xn-aching of thel type ,55. 4of theV box` 3|.. The articles I3 to be delivered,

such as packages of cigarettes, are stacked in superimposed relationship in the enclosure provided by the four angle bars I I. The bottom supporting means for this stack is provided b-y the upper, substantially horizontal ends of a pair of forwardly and downwardly curving tracks or flanges I5, which are attached to their respective side walls by suitable brackets I1. The major portions of tracks I5 are, roughly, circular about an axis represented by a shaft I9, hereinafter to be more fully described. f

The top ends of tracks I5 are spaced beneath the bottom edges of the rear pair of angle pieces II a distance preferably only slightly less than the vertical thickness of one of the articles I3.

However, the front pair of angle pieces II ,preferably terminates downwardly at a point only slightly less than the thickness of two such articles I3 arranged in superimposed relationship. Forming a continuation of the front pair of angle pieces II at their lower ends, is a flap or trap door 2l, pivoted near its upper edge, at its sides, on ears 23 riveted -or otherwise aiiixed to the side walls 'I of the box. The trap door 2l preferably turns freely on its pivot, and prefv erably extends clear across between side walls 1 (see Fig. 3). l

Numerals 25 indicate a pair of tracks, secured yas by brackets 21 to the inner surfaces of the side walls 1, and extending vertically from a point near the bottoms of tracks I5 to substantially the top of the box I, or at least up to an elevation a few inches above the level at which it is desired to deliver the articles. At their bottom ends, the tracks 25 curve in a parallel man- .f

At the upper ends of the tracks 25 the box I i is provided with a trap door 29, which preferably extends clear across the box I, and is freely pivoted substantially at the top end of the tracks 25 on ears 3l riveted or otherwise secured to the side walls 1. The trap door 29 is of suicient width, from front to back, that when it is released, its back edge comes to rest against the front surfaces of the front pair of angle pieces II, with the trap door itself in a forwardly and l,

downwardly sloping position. The frontedge of the trap door 2.9, as indicated by numeral 33, is preferably curved` downwardhr in .a smooth curve.

Somewhat below the level of the trap door `29 the front 3 .of the box I is provided with an article delivery opening indicated by numeral 35, and this opening is bottomed by a platform or chute 31 exten-ding across the box I and from the track -25 forwardly to a point outside the front wall 3 of the box I, where it preferably :a

terminates as a lip Y39. The chute 31 likewise slopes downwardly and forwardly. Mounted on the aforementioned shaft I9 is an article discharging vmechanism which will next be described. The shaft I9 itself is supported in bearings .40 mounted on the side walls 1.

Numerals 4I indicate a pair of parallel threearmed brackets that are suitably mounted in 'hubs 43 on said shaft I9. Either the hubs 43 rotate on the shaft I9, or the shaft I9 rotates on r its bearings 40. Each bracket has three arms 45, 41 and 49 substantially radiating from the hubs 43 and disposed at successive angles of substantially 90 with respect to each other. The arms 45 are the longest, and have a radial length such that they extend to a position substantially midway between the tracks I5 and the tracks 25. The brackets 4I, it will be understood, are spaced apart a sufficient distance so that the arm-s 45 can freely pass between .the tracks I5 as mounted on the opposite side walls 1 of the box. Rotatably supported on a suitable pin 5I extending across between the outer ends of the two arms 45 of the two brackets 4I is a roller or like element 53.

The intermediate bracket arms 41, which are between the arms 45 and the arms 49, are somewhat shorter in length than the arms 45, and

supported between the ends of the two arms 41 is a pin on which is pivotally mounted an extension piece indicated generally by numeral 51. The lextension piece 51 comprises side arms 59, which in effect comprise overlying extensions of the arms 41 of the brackets 4I, and a cross piece 8| extending between the side pieces 59 and bridging the interval between the arms 41, The cross piece 6I has an inward extension 63, which abuts the sides of the ends of arms 41 and limits the clockwise rotation of the extension 51 on the pin 55 to an angular position in which the side arms 59 are substantially radially disposed with respect to the central shaft I9. A coil spring is provided around the pin 55, with one of its ends anchored ,in one of the arms 41, and its other end anchored against the front edge of one of the extending arms 59, so as always to urge said extension 51 to rotate in a clockwise direction on the pin 55. Extending across between the extreme ends of side extensions 59 is a pin 61, on which freely .turns a roller 69.

Also extending across between arms 41, at a point about mid-position along their lengths. is a pin 1I, to which is secured one end of a tension spring 13, the other end of which is made fast to the rear `wall 5 ,of the box I. The tension spring 13 is arranged so as to always maintain a clockwise rotating tendency on the pair of brackets 4I.

The third and shortest arms 49 of the brackets 4I carry at their outer extremities a cross pin 15, on which is rotatably mounted a roller or cam follower 11. The cam follower 11 engages, under tension provided by the spring 13, vthe edge of a generally spiral cam 19, which is mounted and keyed on a shaft 8l, the latter being supported in bearings 83 mounted on the side walls 1, in a parallel relationship to the shaft I9. The `shaft 8l extends. outwardly through one of the -side walls 1, and is there provided with a turning handle or crank 85. Y

It will be understood, of course, that in a venciing machine or the like, the crank 8 5 may vbe replaced by a suitable `C0in-,released or like actuating mechanism; the` crank 85 `is shown by way of example only as a means for imparting .rotation to the cam 19.

The cam 19, as mentioned, is ofa generally lspiral type, with an edge that commences `at an ,angular point of minimum radial distance from the shaft 8| and progresses, angularly, at gradoe x ally increasing radial distances to a point substantially 360 removed from the initial point, where itis at maximum radial distance from the shaft 8l. The edge of the then returns along an approximately radial line, indicated vby numeral 81, tothe aforementioned starting point of minimum radial distancfromithe 'shaft 8l. The radial edge 81 of the cam 19 Vprovides a sharp drop-off point or shoulder indicated by numeral 89.

The operation of the article delivery means as thus described will next be indicated. It isassumed that there is present in the space provided by the angle bars Il, a stack of articles I3 to be delivered. It is also assumed that the elements of the article discharging means are in their full-line position as shown in Fig. 1, under the influence of the tension spring 13 and 55.

The crank 85 is now turned so as to cause the cam 19, as viewed in Fig. 1, to rotate inta clockwise direction. The cam follower 11, riding on the edge of the cam 19, is thus gradually rotated in an upward direction, causing counterclockwise rotation of the brackets 4I on the shaft I9 against the tension spring 13.

Soon the roller 69 engages the rear edge of the lowermost article I3 in the stack, and commences to push said article forwardly. The forwardly moving article I3 pushes the trap door 2| forwardly out of its way, and as the motion progresses, the article I3 slides outwardly along tracks I5 until it is entirely freed from the stack, whereupon it drops, between tracks I5 and 25, under the inuence of gravity, until it comes to rest against the roller 53 supported on arms 45 of brackets 4I. 11 has nearly reached the shoulder or drop-off point 89 of said cam 19, and the brackets 4I are substantially in their dotted line position as shown in Fig. l.

Immediately after the article I3 left the bottom of the stack, the trap door 2I, under the inuence of gravity, returned to its normal, downwardly hanging position.

When, now, the cam follower 11 passes off the drop-off point 39 of the cam 19, the entire bracket assembly, under the influence of the tension spring 13, rotates in a clockwise manner to` snap back to its initial or full line position. This snap movement of brackets 4I causes the roller 53,

against which the article I3 is resting, to hurl said article vertically upwardly, with considerable force. As the article I3 shoots upwardly, it slides against the tracks 25 until it reaches the trap door 29, and it then has suicient remaining force to rotate said trap door 29 in a counterclockwise direction to an open position, whereupon the article I3 continues to rise to a topmost position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.` In the meanwhile, the trap door 29 will have fallen back to its normal or closed position, under the influence of gravity. The article` I3, having stopped its upward movement, now commences to fall, and as it falls it hits the sloping trap door 29 and is directed forwardly to continue its` fall between the front 3 of the box I and the front surfaces of the tracks 25, ultimately to slide out opening 35 on chute 31, to a point where the recipient may receive it.`

Inconnection with the return `or clockwise movement of the brackets 4I, under the influence lodging any of said articles backwardly. Then,

as soon as said extension 51 has cleared the back of the stack of articles, it snaps, under its own spring 65, back to its extended, or full line position as shown in Fig. 1, ready for the delivery y operation on another article I3.

By this time, the cam follower Y `It will readilyv be seen' that numerous other means could be provided, in lieu of the cam 19 and cam follower 11, for imparting the desired movement to the brackets 4I. Fori example, the shaft I9 might be directly rotated through a ratchet mechanism that automatically provides for a slippage when the dotted line position of the brackets 4I was reached. It is accordingly to be yconsidered that the cam 19 and cam follower 11 maintaining a vertical stack of articles, means for withdrawing an article from the bottom of the stack, means associated withthe withdrawing means for automatically elevating the withdrawn article to an elevation substantially above the bottom of the stack, and means for discharging the elevated article at a point not substantially beneath its point of maximum elevation.

2. Article delivery means comprising means for maintaining a vertical stack of articles, means for withdrawing an article from the bottom of the stack, means for automatically elevating the withdrawn article to an elevation substantially above the bottom of the stack, and means for discharging the elevated article at a point not substantially beneath its point of maximum elevation, said last-named means comprising a sloping trap door adapted to be pushed aside by the article in the course of its elevating movement.

3. Article delivery means comprising means for `maintaining a vertical stack of articles, means for withdrawing an article from the bottom of the stack, means for automatically elevating the withdrawn article to an elevation substantially above `the bottom of the stack, and means for discharging the elevated article at a point not substantially beneath its point of maximum elevation, said withdrawing `and elevating means being connected together for coextensive movement.

. 4. Article delivery means comprising means for maintaining a vertical stack of articles, a pair of spaced.' means, means Supporting said spaced means for coextensive movement` at the bottom vof said stack, ,so thatupon movement of 'said pair` of spaced means in one direction oneof the spaced means pushes an article `off the bottom of the stack onto the other spaced means, and upon subsequent movement of said pair of spaced lmeans in the opposite direction, the said other spaced means `hurls the article upwardly, and meansfor guiding the upward movement of the hurled article.

5. Article delivery means comprising means for maintaining a vertical stack ofV articles, apair of spaced means means supporting said spaced means for coextensive movement at the bottom of said stack, so that upon movement of said pair of spaced means in one direction one of the spaced means pushes an article 01T the bottom of the stack onto the other spaced means, and upon subsequent movement of said pair of spaced means in .the opposite direction, the said other spaced means hurls the article upwardly, the first-named spaced means being provided with collapsing means whereby it passes under the bottom of the stack, in the second-named direction of movement, without dislodging an article therefrom, and means for guiding the upward movement of the hurled article.

6. Article delivery means comprising means for maintaining a vertical stack of articles, a pair of spaced means, means supporting said spaced means for coextensive movement at the bottom of said stack, so that upon movement of said pair of spaced means in one direction one of the spaced means pushes an article 01T the bottom of the stack onto the other spaced means, and upon subsequent movement of said pair of spaced means in the opposite direction, the said other spaced means hurls the article upwardly, means for guiding the upward movement of the hurled article, and means providing the said spaced means with the said two directions of movement in proper sequence.

7. Article delivery means comprising means for maintaining a vertical stack of articles, a shaft disposed beneath the bottom of said stack, a bracket on said shaft, said bracket supporting two means radially spaced from said shaft and angularly spaced from each other, and means for rotating the bracket rst in one direction so that one of said two means pushes an article from the bottom of the stack onto the second of said two means, and then rotating the bracket in the reverse direction so that the second of said two means hurls the article on it upwardly, t;

and means for guiding the upward movement of the hurled article.

8. Article delivery means comprising means fc-r maintaining a vertical stack of articles, a shaft disposed beneath the bottom of Asaid stack, a bracket on said shaft, said bracket supporting two means radially spaced from said shaft and angularly spaced from each other, and means for rotating the bracket rst in one direction so that one of said two means pushes an article from the bottom of the stack onto the second of said two means, and then rotating the bracket in the reverse direction with a rapid, snap action, so that the second of said two means hurls the article on it upwardly, and means for guiding the upward movement of the hurled article..

9. Article delivery means comprising means for maintaining a vertical stack of articles, a shaft disposed beneath the bottom of said stack, a bracket on said shaft, said bracket supporting two means radially spaced from said shaft and angularly spaced from each other, and means for rotating the bracket first in one direction so that one of said two means pushes an article from the bottom of the stack onto the second of said two means, and then rotating the bracket in the reverse direction so that the second of said two means hurls the article on it upwardly, and tracks guiding the hurled article to a discharge point substantially above the bottom of the stack.

10. Article delivery means comprising means for maintaining a vertical stack of articles, a shaft disposed beneath the bottom of said stack, a bracket on said shaft, said bracket supporting two means radially spaced fromv said shaft and angularly spaced from each other, and means for rotating the bracket first in one direction so that one of said two means pushes an article from the bottom of the stack onto the second of said two means, and then rotating the bracket in the reverse direction so that the second of said two means hurls the article on it upwardly, and tracks guiding the hurled article to a discharge point substantially above the bottom of the stack, a trap door adapted to be opened by the article ascending said tracks, and a delivery chute, said trap door closing after the article passes and thereafter, as the article commences falling, directing the article into the delivery chute.

11. Article delivery means comprising means for maintaining a vertical stack of articles, a shaft disposed beneath the bottom of said stack, a bracket on said shaft, said bracket supporting two means radially spaced from said shaft and angularly spaced from each other, and means for rotating the bracket rst in one direction so that one of said two means pushes an article from the bottom of the stack onto the second of said two means, and then rotating the bracket in the reverse direction so that the second of said two means hurls the article on it upwardly, and means for guiding the upward movement of the hurled article, said bracket-rotating means comprising a rotatable substantially spiral cam, means for rotating said cam, and a cam follower on said bracket engaging said cam.

12. Article delivery means comprising means for maintaining a vertical stack of articles, a

shaft disposed beneath the bottom of said stack, a bracket on said shaft, said bracket supporting two means radially spaced from said shaft and angularly spaced from each other, and means for rotating the bracket first in one direction so that one of said two means pushes an article from the bottom of the stack onto the second of said two means, and then rotating the bracket in the reverse direction so that the second of said two means hurls the article on it upwardly, and means for guiding the upward movement of the hurled article, said bracket-rotating means comprising a rotatable substantially spiral cam, means for rotating said cam, and a cam follower on said bracket engaging said cam, together with spring means urging said bracket to rotate in the said reverse direction.

13. Article delivery means comprising means for maintaining a vertical stack of articles, a shaft disposed beneath the bottom of said stack, a bracket on said shaft, said bracket supporting two means radially spaced from said shaft and angularly spaced from each other, and means for rotating the bracket first in one direction so that one of said two means pushes an article from the bottom of the stacl onto the second of said two means, and then rotating the bracket in the reverse direction so that the second' of said two means hurls the article on it upwardly, and means for guiding the upward movement of the hurled article, said stack-maintaining means being provided at its bottom with a trap door pervrnitting the aforesaid pushing of an article off the bottom of the stack, but preventing an article from reentering the bottom of the stack.

BENJAMIN W. FRY. 

